Two Group Companies win ICMA Awards

20 May 2006

The Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association (ICMA) recently felicitated two companies belonging to the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) with prestigious awards.

Grasim Industries Limited, Staple Fibre Division, Nagda, received the ICMA award for Social Responsibility. And Aditya Birla Chemicals (India) Limited (formerly known as Bihar Caustic and Chemicals Ltd.), located at Rehala, Plamau, Jharkhand, was recognised as the Best Responsible Care committed company by ICMA.

At a function held in Mumbai on 27 April 2006, Mrs. Rajashree Birla received the award for Grasim from Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries Limited. The second award was received by Mr. P. N. Ojha, Managing Director and Unit Head of Aditya Birla Chemicals (India) Limited (ABCIL).

Grasim, Nagda

Grasim, Nagda has been involved in various meaningful, welfare-driven initiatives that distinctly impact the quality of the weaker sections of society in the Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. In working with the communities, the company gauged their real needs and identified these as access to potable water, sustainable livelihood, healthcare, education and infrastructure.

Grasim's community development programme encompasses 55 villages and some adjoining urban localities. It has helped more than 1.4 lakh people in this area. The programme is implemented under the aegis of the Aditya Birla Centre of Community Initiatives and Rural Development. The major programmes include watershed management including drinking water provision in 20 villages and two townships, and running three schools for ensuring quality education to over 5,000 children.

The Rural Development section is well equipped with vehicles, ambulances, tractors, training centres and other necessary infrastructure with doctors, paramedical staff and workers. Under the sustainable livelihood schemes, more than 600 families are covered through self-help groups and income generation activities; over 1,600 persons are trained in 30 different trades each year; and increased crop productivity in 1,750 hectares has enhanced the livelihood options for 3,500 households.

ABCIL, Rehala

ABCIL is a signatory to the Responsible Care programme and ensures continuous improvement in safety, health and environment (SHE). In recognition of its continuous efforts in implementing the Responsible Care program, ICMA has conferred on it the ICMA Aditya Birla Award for the Best Responsible Care Committed Company for the year 2004-05.

The Responsible Care programme is led from the top by Mr. Ojha and is driven down to the employees by way of setting up of objectives, communicating to all the associates, allocating resources for accomplishment and regular reviews. Key result areas of each employee have been well documented with proper linkages to SHE performance.

The company has recently converted to the advanced version of membrane cell technology, thereby protecting the environment and bringing about an appreciable reduction in electricity consumption. The unit has also augmented its caustic production capacity to 225 tpd with matching enhancement in production of liquid chlorine and hydrochloric acid. The company has a dedicated site for safe disposal of chemical waste.

The company operates in one of the backward areas of Jharkhand. In true spirit of Responsible Care guiding principles, the company first adopted 29 villages around the operating location with a population of over 30,000 living below the poverty line. The company has further expanded its reach by increasing the number of adopted villages to 40. For community development, various initiatives are taken for social reform, education, infrastructure development and family welfare.